Christian Correction
by Fr.Gus Carter
9/4/05

It is not rare to be upset over the bad behavior of others. The important question for us becomes "should we do something about it?" We live in a time of extreme individualism. A general feeling exists that people should be allowed to do whatever they want. Many say, "What I do with my life is no concern of yours." But everyone doing his or her own thing leads to chaos. Any work for the general good requires cooperation.

The great modern scripture scholar, Raymond Brown, wrote about Matthew. He said, "Matthew had a genius for collection and organization that make his Gospel the best guide to practical Christian life." Brown calls what we have read today, chapter eighteen of Matthew, "the most practical treatment of the Church in the New Testament."

Matthew shows a preference that love and not authority should be primary in dealing with fellow Christians. Matthew insists that if we have a problem with a person, we should go personally to that person to speak of the difficulty. We find some people, if they have a problem with the pastor, go to the bishop; if they have a problem with the bishop, they go to Rome. The problem for many is that they feel uncomfortable complaining directly to the person involved. Those individuals want someone else to take care of their problem. Jesus tells us, "Go directly to person involved." If we have a problem that the offender will not address with us, then bring a few others to help explain the problem. Sometimes without help, the problem can seem to rest solely with the complainer.

St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians (6: 1) addresses this same problem: "Brothers, even if a person is caught in some transgression, you who are spiritual should correct that one in a. gentle spirit, looking to yourself so that you also may not be tempted." St. Therese of Lisieux corrected sisters older than herself. She was heard because of her gentle and humble approach. If we are angry or arrogant in our approach to others, they cannot hear us. It is hard enough to hear unflattering things about ourselves. If we feel that it really is someone' s own anger and pride, we do not feel that we have to pay attention.

It was Cain, the murderer who said, "I am not my brothers keeper." We are the Body of Christ. Our love for each other is to express God's love for every person. Serious sin threatens the Body of Christ. Evil among us is like a cancer that threatens the whole body. We seek to cure the cancer, or at least to limit the damage it does. At the same time we must remember Jesus' words that God desires the sinner to be saved, not condemned. We know, also, that we are always in danger of misreading a situation. Gently asking persons about their behavior gives them a chance to explain and enables our wrong impression to be corrected.

When two or more meet to settle their differences, they must keep in mind that Christ is in their midst. For his sake and for the sake of Christ's body, they must seek solutions. Christ confers the responsibility of binding and loosening. Christian fellowship can only survive the strain of human failure because the risen Christ sustains our communion.

The first reading from Ezekiel brings to mind that we, as persons baptized into Christ, have a prophetic mission in life. The prophets expressed the presence of God in society by their loving and just behavior. By that same presence they have a responsibility to promote justice and to correct injustices.

Our prophetic mission requires that we reflect on our human condition of brokenness and the possibilities Christ offers all of us for wholeness. We are called to promote the Kingdom of God, a kingdom oflove, of mercy, of forgiveness. We ask ourselves, "How much am I a peacemaker, a healer? Do I forgive readily? Do I speak out against injustice? Do I day by day strive to be a better person? Am I aware of my responsibility to promote justice and unity in the Church? Do I trust that the power of Christ can make these goals a possibility in my life?"
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